I've read LW many times, and still enjoy each reading of it. This was the first time I've heard it as an audiobook though, and that gave me a new apprI've read LW many times, and still enjoy each reading of it. This was the first time I've heard it as an audiobook though, and that gave me a new appreciation of it as I find I'm often more likely to be touched by a book I know well if I listen to it rather than if I read it.

I'm one of the few who do not think Laurie and Jo belonged together, so that's never been a disappointment to me, but for the first time I believed the love growing between him and Amy. It's always seemed too convenient for me before, but I found some clues I hadn't seen before, which made it more real to me.

L.M. Alcott has a bad habit of putting morals into most of her books. LW isn't nearly as bad as Jack and Jill (where every chapter ended with a sermon of some kind - got old really fast), but worse than the Rose books....more

Both Rose and her cousins are almost too good to be true, but that doesn't matter, because one doesn't read LMA to get realism, but rather to escape rBoth Rose and her cousins are almost too good to be true, but that doesn't matter, because one doesn't read LMA to get realism, but rather to escape real life for awhile and disappear into a world where people are just generally kind, and if not it's because of lack of thought rather than any real ill intent.

Rose in Bloom was a lot better than I remembered it, and has one of the sweetest love-making (of the old-fashioned type) chapters I've ever read. Sure to make any hopeless romantic sigh and wish for that kind of live in their own lives....more

A children's book, and not even a classic. Yet, I still contemplated whether to give it a 3 or a 4 because I'm quite fond of this series. UnfortunatelA children's book, and not even a classic. Yet, I still contemplated whether to give it a 3 or a 4 because I'm quite fond of this series. Unfortunately, this one is the only one I own, but my host brother used to have all of them, and I liked reading them while staying with them. Partly because I enjoyed the books (4 kids learn how to morph into other animals in order to save the world from the alien Yeeks), but mostly because of the bond it put between us :)...more

I read this in one sitting as I didn't feel like getting out of bed this morning ;) It's not as good as the first one, as there are fewer hospital aneI read this in one sitting as I didn't feel like getting out of bed this morning ;) It's not as good as the first one, as there are fewer hospital anecdotes in this one, and some of the anecdotes are somewhat exaggerated - Sue is an angel, Sue saves the day, Sue never does anything wrong etc.

An absolutely fascinating book. Just like most other people in the Western world I know far too little about the history and culture of China and as sAn absolutely fascinating book. Just like most other people in the Western world I know far too little about the history and culture of China and as such was at the same time totally fascinated and appalled by what I read here. Allegedly Mao caused more deaths than Hitler and Stalin put together, yet hardly any time is spent on him in history classes. I wonder why?

Wild Swans is long and heavy but not at all boring and I'm glad to finally have read it... if for no other reason, then to realize how incredible fortunate I am to live in a country like Denmark. It is a book that is just as important to read as the devastating accounts of World War 2, yet unfortunately more often neglected....more

I read The Five Love Languages before I got married, and really liked it. Now that I've been married 5 years I decided to read it again, and appreciatI read The Five Love Languages before I got married, and really liked it. Now that I've been married 5 years I decided to read it again, and appreciated it a LOT more. Being in love, you never think you'll feel in need of getting your 'love bucket' filled more than it already is, but once marriage becomes more 'routine', it's more obvious how important it is to speak each other's love language.

I find the concept of this book fascinating - that it's possible to express love for another person in so many different ways, that some of the ways aren't even recognizable for what they are to the other person. I think I've got my own and my husband's love language pretty much sorted out, and I don't think any of us find our 'love bucket' lacking, but it's a good thing to be aware of....more

A difficult, but important book to read. I pray that I may never have to go through the hardships Corrie experienced, but that if I do, God will grantA difficult, but important book to read. I pray that I may never have to go through the hardships Corrie experienced, but that if I do, God will grant me the strength to show the same grace as she and Betsie did. We tend to forget that God didn't stop practising miracles after the time the Bible was written....more

I've always been very fond of historical novels, and Pope Joan is definitely one of my favourites. It still bugs me to see how badly Joan is treated,I've always been very fond of historical novels, and Pope Joan is definitely one of my favourites. It still bugs me to see how badly Joan is treated, just because she's a girl, but I know it's appropriate for the age the story takes place in, and find it fascinating to read how she succeeds despite hardships of all kinds....more

I always find it interesting to learn more about my favourite authors, and LMM is no exception. However, reading this one so shortly after hearing theI always find it interesting to learn more about my favourite authors, and LMM is no exception. However, reading this one so shortly after hearing the rumours that she may have committed suicide rather than died from a stroke as originally assumed (it hasn't been confirmed, but I thought it had for a couple of days while reading this) put a very different twist to the book. She led a hard life, and one that became increasingly difficult as the years went by.

I do have the rest of her journals, but think I need to take a break before continuing with them....more

I've read this several times when I was younger, and honestly remembered it as being better than it was. Whether that's because I'm misremembering, orI've read this several times when I was younger, and honestly remembered it as being better than it was. Whether that's because I'm misremembering, or because my standards were lower back then, I don't know, but it was interesting to see.

It's obvious that it's very dated though. All the explanations of computers, internet and online forums are almost naive, and I'd think just about everybody would know enough not to run an exe-file received from somebody they don't know. That's just asking to get infected!

Other than that, it's still a fascinating book and a sobering thought that we're not nearly as anonymous online as we'd like to think....more

The Rosary is one of those wonderful but unfortunately completely overlooked books. It deserves to rank as high as books by Jane Austen, L.M. Alcott,The Rosary is one of those wonderful but unfortunately completely overlooked books. It deserves to rank as high as books by Jane Austen, L.M. Alcott, Charlotte Bronte and L.M. Montgomery, yet few people have ever heard of it. Such a shame because it is one of the most beautiful and romantic books I've ever read. Florence L. Barclay paints very vivid pictures for her readers and makes the book impossible to put down. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Unfortunately it's very difficult to find the book except through second-hand bookstores. However, it's available as an e-book through Project Gutenberg here and as an audiobook through Librivox here - both absolutely free for your enjoyment! [/Shameless plug]...more

**spoiler alert** The A Plot: Dana (of The Droid fame) is excited and embarrassed at the same time. Her cousin Sally is coming to live with them, but**spoiler alert** The A Plot: Dana (of The Droid fame) is excited and embarrassed at the same time. Her cousin Sally is coming to live with them, but while it'll be great to have a new sister, the reason why she's coming to live with them is that Sally's parents have abandoned her. Her father just walked out on them, and when her mother remarried, she gave Sally up to a foster home. Dana knows it's not Sally's fault, but she still thinks it's embarrassing. Especially since Sally has been moving around so much that she's had to stay back a year in school. Snobbish much?

Dana's brother, Jeremy, isn't much better. He's pissed at Sally already before she arrives, for no apparent reason.

Of course, with this welcoming committee, it's no surprise that Sally is somewhat nervous when arriving to the Larson residence. She quickly discovers that Dana only likes her when she can control her - looks, friends, hobbies and everything - and that Jeremy simply doesn't like her at all! Instead of saying "Screw them" she figures, that the only way she'll be allowed to stay in Sweet Valley (which - in her own words - is the most beautiful town she's ever lived in) is to make them happy, no matter what. "No parent would sacrifice their children's happiness for a stranger." But Sally, you're not a stranger, you're their family! They're not going to kick you out, just because their kids are morons.

Unfortunately, she doesn't listen to me, but does everything in her power to become invisible and only do what Dana and Jeremy wants her to do - she doesn't go see a movie with Mark Riley because Jeremy doesn't want her 'stealing' his friends, she doesn't work for the Oracle because Dana wants her to be the Droids' manager, she doesn't accept a shopping invitation from Liz, because Dana apparently doesn't want her to have friends at all (what a terrific person Dana is turning out to be, eh?), and if at all possible, she does all of Dana and Jeremy's chores for them, which ends up having the exact opposite effect than what she'd hoped for, as the Larson parents are now scolding Dana and Jeremy for taking advantage of Sally, making them even more angry with her than they already were.

Charming pair!

One day as they leave for school, Dana's mother tells them to come back straight from school, as her father has something to say to them. Sally immediately jumps to the conclusion that she's being sent off to a new home (after, what, a week? Two? But of course, why even give it a chance when you can just ship her off to someplace else?) and from the 'sharp looks' Jeremy and Dana are sending her, she's certain they think the same.

Since they have to get back as quickly as possible, Dana, Jeremy and Sally borrow a car to get to and from school. On the way home, they pick up two hitch-hikers (who hitch-hikes in the middle of town? Ah right, a plot device, that's whom) despite Sally strongly arguing against it. Turns out her instincts were right (shocker!) and despite the fact that they were never described as being all that big, nor carrying a gun or a knife, the hitch-hikers manage to force Jeremy to drive them to the infamous 'Kelleys', steal his wallet and almost kidnap the two girls. Let's let the logic of that hang in the air for a minute, shall we?

But wait! Didn't I write almost kidnap the girls? Yes, because Sally could never let anything happen to her darling cousins, so making use of the street-smart she's obtained while living in foster homes (wish we could've seen some of that earlier), she turns around, manages to convince the two hitch-hikers that Dana's a bore, they should let her go, because she (Sally) would be lots more fun to hang out with. Taking her on her word, they do just that, and leave Dana and Jeremy to drive off home, abandoning poor Sally.

Fortunately, Dana is not quite as dense as she's seemed so far, and quickly realizes that Sally was just putting on an act to save them! "Oh no! We have to save her!" Fortunately Mark Riley lives just down the road, and even more fortunately Ken Matthew and John Pfeifer (booh! even if he is a good guy in this one) are visiting him, so together the four of them drive back to Kelleys and rush in to save their 'sister'. Faced by this superior force, the hitch-hikers realise there's no more fun to be had, and let Sally go.

They drive back home, and almost in hysterics Dana and Jeremy tell their father that they CAN'T let Sally go, she BELONGS! to which a mystified father replies that there was never any question of sending Sally away - in fact, the family meeting was called because he and their mother had decided to formally adopt Sally! All is happy and blissful and all earlier differences of opinion have been forgotten. The end.

The B Plot: Introducing - Prince Albert. For once a Jessica scheme that doesn't involve her being evil and malicious and that doesn't take grossly advantage of Liz' spinelessness. One of the reasons I actually really like this book :-)

Jess has found and fallen in love with a complete mutt and knowing the lack of parenting abilities usually shown by her parents, she realises they will never discover a dog hidden in the house for a few days. Calling on Liz to help her take care of Prince Albert and cover up, she argues that if her parents can see how well she's been taking care of him, once she springs her surprise on them a week later, they're bound to let her keep him!

My logicz, let me show you them.

But nothing is ever that simple. The very day before she was going to introduce her parents to Prince Albert, she and Liz is taking him for a walk, and he escapes the collar and runs away! Oh no! Search as they might, he's gone forever.

Or is he...

Of course not. Being SV land, Ned Wakefield picks that night to come home with a dog he's found at the shelter, and - to the amazement of everybody but the observant reader - that dog is none other than Prince Albert!!! Ned and Alice are amazed the dog already seems to know Liz and Jess, but brush it off with the girls just being naturally loveable.

The end.

Points of interest: * It's not explained until page 32 that Jess and Liz are identical twins, we never hear of the 'perfect size 6 figures' (although they are gorgeously slender), and we have to wait all the way until page 79(!!!!) before Jeffrey muses how different they are, and Liz laughs at how much difference 4 minutes make. * The oh-so-sofisticated Dana seriously exclaims: "Don't you think malls are wild? They're like the new Main Street, USA, know what I mean?". Ah 1987. How adorably clueless you were. * We now have Enid's word that Liz is worthy of the "Saint Elizabeth" title: "Elizabeth Wakefield to the rescue! Fear not, all you sad, lonely poeple! Elizabeth will come to save you!" * In the same breath, she tells Liz to "Stop being such a pushover". Tell it as it is, girl! Although the amount of meddling and being pushed over is really remarkably small in #33. The ghostwriter must have been having an 'off' day....more

Again an important book about World War 2. Very well written - I kept forgetting it was a real diary and not a fictionalised account of their lives. HAgain an important book about World War 2. Very well written - I kept forgetting it was a real diary and not a fictionalised account of their lives. However, this time around I also found it a very depressing read, because from the very beginning you know (well, I did anyway) that Anne doesn't survive the war. I would have been interested in hearing more about what happened after the end of the diary, but I guess there's not much documentation on that....more

I probably thought higher of this when I read it last, but for what I think is the first time ever I didn't rush through one of Gabaldon's books, butI probably thought higher of this when I read it last, but for what I think is the first time ever I didn't rush through one of Gabaldon's books, but actually took the better part of a month to read it. part of this is certainly that it's such a long book, and a book I'd read before so I felt no need to rush through it to know what happened, but it was also that it suddenly struck me how much calamity befell the lives of the Frasers... and it simply stopped being believable - even in their universe.

Still, Gabaldon is a capable writer, and I did enjoy the book hugely - after all, it still gets a good rating :) We got a lot of loose threads tied up, which I appreciate and I especially enjoyed the ending, even if it does make me wonder how she'll continue in her next book... whenever that may come out....more

This is the first time I've ever read Cross-Stitch rather than Outlander and while the differences between the UK and the US were very few and far betThis is the first time I've ever read Cross-Stitch rather than Outlander and while the differences between the UK and the US were very few and far between, I've still read the US version enough times, that I find it unnerving whenever I came across an edit. I mean, would Claire ever have said "The mind boggles" in the original? No, I didn't think so either. Some scenes have been left out too, and while it means nothing plot-wise, it still bugged me. Ah well, if past experience is anything to go by, then this copy will soon have been read to tatters and I'll buy a new one anyway, and make sure it's Outlander once again ;)

That said, this book remains one of my all-time favourites. It has action, comedy, romance, tragedy... everything a girl could wish for. By far the best of the series I read it once every second year or so and never seem to tire of it....more

As the first book in the series, Sue Barton, Student Nurse is a quick read (took me no more than an hour or two), but a good one. It's a wonder I've nAs the first book in the series, Sue Barton, Student Nurse is a quick read (took me no more than an hour or two), but a good one. It's a wonder I've never wanted to be a nurse or a doctor, as much as I love reading about their work. It's a feel-good book of the old-fashioned style and I greatly enjoyed it. I'll be looking forward to reading the rest of the series....more

I'll be the first to admit that Victoria Holt doesn't write great literature. Her stories are fluff - meant for entertainment and not much else. But sI'll be the first to admit that Victoria Holt doesn't write great literature. Her stories are fluff - meant for entertainment and not much else. But so what? Once in awhile a bit of entertainment is all I really ask for in a book, and as such Seven for a Secret did a great job. The writing was tighter than I've seen in some of her other books and while somewhat contrived the plot wasn't altogether improbable and the ending very satisfactory.

It's not a book that'll leave a lasting impression on a reader, but if you need a bit of light literature to read by the pool or on a long plane ride, you could definitely do much worse than picking this one....more

Two of the stories in Edith Nesbit's "9 Unlikely Tales for Children" reminded me of this one and made me want to reread it. It was first read aloud toTwo of the stories in Edith Nesbit's "9 Unlikely Tales for Children" reminded me of this one and made me want to reread it. It was first read aloud to me when we were in France in 1986 and my dad would translate from English to Danish 'on the fly' while reading. But even without the nostalgic element, it is still a sweet fairy-tale, and one where it is a huge shame that so few people know it....more

The first Harry Potter book - read in German. It took me AGES to get through as my German is no where near as good as I'd like it to be. Still, I gotThe first Harry Potter book - read in German. It took me AGES to get through as my German is no where near as good as I'd like it to be. Still, I got through it and think I understood most of it. I even learned some new words :)

My dad bought me this book a couple of years ago, because I'd been lamenting the fact that my knowledge of German was fading with disuse. We discussed watching dvds in German or reading German books, and I commented that I'd love to get hold of a German Harry Potter.

Three weeks later dad stopped by to hand my Harry Potter 1 in German - he'd gone straight out and ordered it off amazon.de to surprise me :)...more

I think this is my favourite of LMM's short story collections. It's all about letters, diaries or other 'written things' being the main part of the stI think this is my favourite of LMM's short story collections. It's all about letters, diaries or other 'written things' being the main part of the story. I love reading books made up of letters or diaries, so this is right up my alley :) Also, there are a lot of really sweet and romantic stories in there as well....more

After watching the movie, I wanted to reread the book, to see how much the adaption actually deviated from the book, and was left with the very unsettAfter watching the movie, I wanted to reread the book, to see how much the adaption actually deviated from the book, and was left with the very unsettling sensation that the book for once wasn't as good as I remembered it. I found myself skimming a lot near the end, with the feeling that I was more 'comparing notes' than reading the book for its own sake. So now I know for another time that reading the book the very day after having watched the movie based on it, is not my best idea ever ;)...more

Once again a book I started but couldn't get through, only to pick it up for a book club some years later and find utterly impossible to put down.

We Once again a book I started but couldn't get through, only to pick it up for a book club some years later and find utterly impossible to put down.

We Need To Talk About Kevin is a very difficult book to read, and one that will make you question whether or not you really want to have children, when it can go so horribly wrong. In fact, it's a book that might actually make you scared to have children, because of how Kevin acts towards his mother from the very beginning.

While the strength of Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult is that it makes you feel sympathetic with the school shooter, the strength of We Need to Talk... is that it doesn't - but it doesn't make you hate him either. It left me thinking - wondering what I would do if I were in Eva's shoes, finding myself ladled with an infant who - according to all evidence - hated me for no particular reason.

The age old debate of nature vs nurture is raised once again in a powerful and spellbinding way. I would recommend it to anybody, but realize not everybody would be able to stomach it as it is as disturbing as it is fascinating.

All in all a book I expect will stay with me for a very long time....more

An absolutely amazing book. I was totally blown away by it. It is fascinating, infuriating, frightening and horrifying. To think that Malika was heldAn absolutely amazing book. I was totally blown away by it. It is fascinating, infuriating, frightening and horrifying. To think that Malika was held captive all together more than twenty years!!! I don't think I could have done what she did. It would have been an incredible work of fiction, but knowing that it was a biography just lent it that much more poignancy. I highly recommend it, but will warn you that it is very disturbing reading....more

This is one of those books that would have been too short practically no matter how long it was. One of my very favourite books, and one of my introduThis is one of those books that would have been too short practically no matter how long it was. One of my very favourite books, and one of my introductions to the fantasy genre. I love the atmosphere it describes, and would love to experience some lessons at Harper Hall myself... even though I'd probably be more likely to be one of the clueless girls (although not as cruel I hope) than Menolly.

I love the lyrics that start off each chapter. Usually when books have lyrics or poems as introductions to chapters I just skip them, but here they seem an integral part of the book :)

It's a shame no more books have been written about Menolly's life at Harper Hall. I was so disappointed with Dragondrums, because I wanted to read more about Menolly - not Piemur.

The first Pern book I've read other than the Harper's Hall trilogy. Good in its own right, but not nearly as good as Dragonsong or Dragonsinger... orThe first Pern book I've read other than the Harper's Hall trilogy. Good in its own right, but not nearly as good as Dragonsong or Dragonsinger... or perhaps the plots of those just interested me more. It was good to get a bit of the background to those books though.

I rushed to finish the book, but honestly it was good mostly by how it explained things of Harper's Hall. I'm keen to reread them sometime soon now....more

If you were a mother, knowing the law could not protect your son, would you take the law in your own hands? It's not a question I think anybody can anIf you were a mother, knowing the law could not protect your son, would you take the law in your own hands? It's not a question I think anybody can answer before they're actually in that mother's shoes.

It is not often that I find myself unable to rate a book, but this is one of those cases. "Perfect Match" is a heart-wrenching roller-coaster ride of a read. Amazingly written, and horribly depressing. I would probably rate it quite high (4 stars... maybe even 5) if it wasn't for the fact that it made me feel awful, and I know I'll never want to read it again. It was a train-wreck I couldn't look away from, but that I doubt I'll ever want to revisit.

The book's going up on bookmooch - not because it's bad, but because I want to protect myself from reading it again....more

Unlike most of Rosamunde Pilcher's short novels, this one didn't leave me feeling the ending was unsatisfactory. For once all the threads were actuallUnlike most of Rosamunde Pilcher's short novels, this one didn't leave me feeling the ending was unsatisfactory. For once all the threads were actually neatly tied together, without seeming rushed. It still doesn't live up to her longer novels (like "Coming Home" and "Winter Solstice"), and is definitely no page-turner, but after I got over my initial annoyance at Oliver Dobbs (it's a mystery to me WHY Victoria would let him treat her that way), I realised we weren't supposed to like him, so it was okay not to, and quite enjoyed the rest of the book....more

I find that Jules Verne's books are of very varied quality. Fortunately this was one of the good ones, and I really enjoyed reading it. However, it isI find that Jules Verne's books are of very varied quality. Fortunately this was one of the good ones, and I really enjoyed reading it. However, it is rather amusing to read about the technology he thinks will be available and how absurd some of his assumptions are - putting a bit of fantasy/sci-fi into an otherwise very realistic story.

I wish we knew what happened to Captain Nemo to make him like that though....more

It almost feels like sacrilege to admit, but I actually didn't think too much of this book. I saw the movie as a teenager and was very impressed by itIt almost feels like sacrilege to admit, but I actually didn't think too much of this book. I saw the movie as a teenager and was very impressed by it, so either my opinion has changed over the years (likely) or I just wasn't too keen on the writing style (also very likely). However, it's one of those books I've always felt like I "ought" to read, so I'm glad finally to have done so....more

Marcia Willett has been compared to Rosamunde Pilcher, and with good reason. This first book in the Chadwick saga reads a lot like what I've come to eMarcia Willett has been compared to Rosamunde Pilcher, and with good reason. This first book in the Chadwick saga reads a lot like what I've come to expect from RP's books. And that's a good thing :) It was rather slow-moving, but not in a way that made it boring, but just to emphasise the atmosphere of the book as being relaxed and unpretentious. It's the first in a trilogy (I think) and I'm looking forward to reading the other two, as you really get to love the family....more